| New Jersey Theft Offenses and Charges |
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| Note: Theft may be both a State and Federal Crime (Ex Credit Card Theft or a theft occurring across state lines) and you can be prosecuted by both the state and federal government at NJ Theft charges/offenses are categorized in four different degrees depending on the amount alleged to have been unlawfully taken as indicated below. The charge of Theft (2C:20-1) can be anything from theft of property, shoplifting (2C:20-11), receiving stolen property (2C:20-7) theft by deception (2C:20-4), theft of services (2C:20-8), fraud, writing bad checks, credit card theft, or any means in which a person tricks, fools, extorts (2C:20-5) a person to part with property under a false pretense or assumption. Please note that shoplifting has additional community service penalties. The most common theft offenses are offense where less than $200.00 has been stolen. You deserve the best defense, Our firm has helped over 8000 clients get the best defense don't sit home alone worried about jail, we can help you, but you must take the first step and call and setup the free in office consultation. The Call is Free the advice may be priceless. Sentence: Up to 10 years in prison. Ordinary Terms: Jail 7 to 10 years, Fines and Probation A theft charge is a second degree crime if the value of the items are worth $75,000 or more or if: •The property is taken by extortion; •The property stolen is a controlled dangerous substance or controlled substance analog and the quantity is in excess of one kilogram; •The property stolen is a person's benefits under federal or State law, or from any other source, which the Department of Human Services or an agency acting on its behalf has budgeted for the person's health care and the amount involved is $75,000 or more; or •The property stolen is human remains or any part thereof. Sentence: Up to 5 years in Jail. Ordinary Terms: 3 to 5 years in Jail, Fines and Probation A theft charge is a third degree crime if the value of the items are worth more than $500, but not more than $75,000 or if: •The property stolen is a firearm (gun, rifle, pistol), or a motor vehicle, vessel, boat, horse, domestic companion animal or airplane; •The property stolen is a controlled dangerous substance or controlled substance analog and the amount involved is less than $75,000.00 or is undetermined and the quantity is one kilogram or less; •It is in breach of an obligation by a person in his capacity as a fiduciary; •It is by threat not amounting to extortion; •It is of a public record, writing or instrument kept, filed or deposited according to law with or in the keeping of any public office or public servant; •The property stolen is a person's benefits under federal or State law, or from any other source, which the Department of Human Services or an agency acting on its behalf has budgeted for the person's health care and the amount involved is less than $75,000; •The property stolen is any real or personal property related to, necessary for, or derived from research, regardless of value, including, but not limited to, any sample, specimens and components thereof, research subject, including any warm-blooded or cold-blooded animals being used for research or intended for use in research, supplies, records, data or test results, prototypes or equipment, as well as any proprietary information or other type of information related to research; •The property stolen is a New Jersey Prescription Blank as referred to in; or •The property stolen consists of an access device or a defaced access device. •Improper Use of Credit Card also may be charged as a 4th Degree Offense see below. Sentence: Up to 18 Months in Jail, Fines and Probation Theft is a crime of the fourth degree if the value of the items are worth more than $200, but not more than $500 or if the theft is by means of a credit card in which case the crime could be a third degree crime depending on how charged by the police and prosecutor. Examples of credit card theft include: having two or more credit cards in your possession that have names other than your own even if the cards are never used. Using a card that has someone else’s name on it , creating a false credit card, to use a credit card even though the account has been closed, or to sign a credit card when the signer is not the named person on the credit card. Credit card theft is a specific form of a theft crime that is unrelated to the "value" of the theft. |
| Free Consultation with an Experienced Theft Attorney Call 1-800-9-RIGHTS or 1-800-974-4487 |
| H. Scott Aalsberg, Esq., P.C. Attorneys at Law Main Office: 39 Milltown Road 2nd Floor, East Brunswick, N.J. 08816 1028 Route #23 North, Wayne, N.J. 07470 Free Consultation: 1-800-9-RIGHTS or (732) 257-5040 www.GetNotGuilty.com |
| www.GetNotGuilty.com Helping Clients Get NOT GUILTY Verdicts For 19 Years |
| We Will Fight For You! Unbeatable Success: Over 8000 cases won, reduced or downgraded since 1992 Call 1-800-974-4487 Free Consultation |
New Jersey Theft Lawyers
NJ Theft Charge Disorderly Persons Offense: Theft Offenses Charges in Municipal Court
Sentence: Up to 6 Months in Jail, Fines, Probation
A theft charge is classified as a disorderly persons charge (considered a misdemeanor in most
states) under New Jersey law if the amount involved is under $200. However please note that this
will be marked on the NCIC database as a criminal offense even though it is not considered a
criminal offense in the State of New Jersey and as such employers are free to consider a person
charged with a disorderly person offense a criminal. This is the most frequently issued theft
charge as most theft crimes are for less than $200.00. Historically shoplifting was originally
charged as theft until the legislature increased the penalties for shoplifting making shoplifting an
offense with even more penalties than theft. (lawyers note: better to steal from a person than a
store) In addition to a criminal record even a theft of as little as $1.00 can still subject you to up to
180 days in jail, thus skilled legal representation is important.
Sentence: Up to 6 Months in Jail, Fines, Probation
A theft charge is classified as a disorderly persons charge (considered a misdemeanor in most
states) under New Jersey law if the amount involved is under $200. However please note that this
will be marked on the NCIC database as a criminal offense even though it is not considered a
criminal offense in the State of New Jersey and as such employers are free to consider a person
charged with a disorderly person offense a criminal. This is the most frequently issued theft
charge as most theft crimes are for less than $200.00. Historically shoplifting was originally
charged as theft until the legislature increased the penalties for shoplifting making shoplifting an
offense with even more penalties than theft. (lawyers note: better to steal from a person than a
store) In addition to a criminal record even a theft of as little as $1.00 can still subject you to up to
180 days in jail, thus skilled legal representation is important.
When Your Freedom and Liberty is at stake a skilled New
Jersey Theft Attorney may be the only thing separating
you from being at home or in jail, The choice you make
today is critical to your future. Our criminal defense
lawyers are all experienced at handling theft cases with
each lawyer having a minimum of 19 years of experience.
Our Lawyers have up to a 98% Success Rate of Winning,
Reducing or Eliminating the penalties you will face with a
New Jersey Theft Charge. You have seen Attorney
Aalsberg interviewed by both ABC News 20/20 and CBS
News and he can help you. Call Now for a Free
Consultation. The call is free the advise may be priceless!
Jersey Theft Attorney may be the only thing separating
you from being at home or in jail, The choice you make
today is critical to your future. Our criminal defense
lawyers are all experienced at handling theft cases with
each lawyer having a minimum of 19 years of experience.
Our Lawyers have up to a 98% Success Rate of Winning,
Reducing or Eliminating the penalties you will face with a
New Jersey Theft Charge. You have seen Attorney
Aalsberg interviewed by both ABC News 20/20 and CBS
News and he can help you. Call Now for a Free
Consultation. The call is free the advise may be priceless!
NJ Theft Facts:
- Theft is a very broad criminal charge
in NJ and includes everything from
stealing, robbery, shoplifting or even
using another persons credit card. - Except for drug related crimes, theft
is the 2nd most frequently charged
crime in most states. - The best defense to a theft charge is
to hire the best theft Lawyer. - Theft charges have many defenses
but these defenses must be brought
to the courts attention at the soonest
possible time to insure the most
successful defense. Thus, the
sooner you hire one of our
experienced NJ theft lawyers the
more he can do to help you!
| What is a Theft Charge in NJ: |
New Jersey Theft Charge, Second Degree (2nd Degree) Crime |
New Jersey Theft Charge, Second Degree (3rd Degree) Crime |
New Jersey Theft Charge, Second Degree (4th Degree) Crime |
Theft Charges in Municipal Court:
The Most Commonly Charged Theft Offense
The Most Commonly Charged Theft Offense
Lawyers Note: Most NJ Theft charges
are originally sent to Municipal Court
and if the amount is over $200.00 then
Transferred to Superior Court
are originally sent to Municipal Court
and if the amount is over $200.00 then
Transferred to Superior Court
New Jersey Theft Lawyers